A prostitution ring operating in Seoul’s Gangnam-gu district is suspected of earning at least 574 million won ($434,000) through more than 2,800 arrangements over 44 days, police said Tuesday.
Gangnam Police Station referred eight people to prosecutors without detention: three business operators, a manager, two women and two men suspected of involvement in prostitution.
The three operators are suspected of arranging prostitution for commercial gain, an offense punishable by up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to 70 million won.
The group allegedly used 33 studio apartments in Nonhyeon-dong and Yeoksam-dong as venues, advertising the services online and through Telegram channels under the guise of “Swedish massage” and similar services.
To screen potential customers, the operators required them to verify their identities using mobile phones registered in their own names.
They then checked customers against a database shared among similar businesses to identify those considered suspicious, police said.
Police said the crackdown uncovered two businesses. The larger one allegedly arranged more than 2,800 transactions over 44 days, generating at least 574 million won.
The number of appointments and earnings attributed to the other business remain unclear because suspects allegedly destroyed evidence.
The investigation began after police received a report in November 2025. Investigators gradually identified and apprehended the operators and accomplices through call-record analysis, surveillance footage and undercover surveillance work.
A police official said the force would work with relevant agencies to crack down on prostitution rings operating discreetly in residential neighborhoods and help residents feel safe.
Police also plan to continue investigating other suspected participants based on evidence gathered in the case.
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